Local News

Ashland Police Department officers responded to the area of the 500 block of Clover Lane for a report of two male subjects fighting in the parking lot of a nearby business Sunday around 3:30 p.m. The police department's Facebook page reports that, upon arrival, one of the subjects, later identified as the suspect, was still on scene. Another subject, later identified as the victim, had left the area. The investigation indicated that the victim was sitting in a van when the suspect approached, presented a gun, and demanded property from the victim. This led to the physical altercation that resulted in calls to 911. The victim and suspect appear to have known each other. The investigation revealed that two handguns had been in play during the altercation, both in the possession of the suspect, and both of which were recovered on scene by responding officers. One of the handguns was found to have been outfitted with a home-made suppressor. One shot was found to have been fired during the altercation, striking the victim’s vehicle, a van. Officers and members of APD’s Criminal Investigation Division identified and interviewed several witnesses and collected evidence.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to both a container fire and a small vehicle fire in Cave Junction Wednesday night.

The container fire occurred in the 1900 block of White Schoolhouse Road around 8:58 p.m. IVFD and the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District responded to the scene.

Initially dispatched for reports of smoke in the vicinity, the assignment was escalated following further reports indicating a connex box was on fire. Upon arrival, units discovered the container involved in fire and successfully extinguished it. An investigation into the incident will be conducted.

Concurrently, a small vehicle fire occurred at 305 S Redwood Highway. While IVFD units were engaged with the container incident, crews were dispatched to address the vehicle fire around 9:21 p.m.

Prior to the arrival of the Selma station unit, local citizens were actively attempting to extinguish a moped that had ignited. The fire was confirmed to be out and was subject to an investigation.

 

The Grants Pass City Council convened a seven minute meeting Wednesday night to approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to lease 5th street between G Street and H Street to Main Street Grants Pass. The special meeting was needed to approve a farm to table plated dinner on the newly updated 5th Street event space Thursday night. The activity is limited to 100 ticketed guests and is a charity event benefitting the Children's museum, the Boys and Girls Club and Grants Pass High School. The reason for the special meeting is City Staff learned on Monday the provision of alcoholic beverages would be part of the dinner, an activity that would not be allowed under the current municipal code without a special permit. According to City Manager Aaron Cubic the council's action is the same as provided to the Active Club for the Boatnik Festival. The lease for Main Street Grants Pass grants them the use and possession of the area between 5th Street and H Street from noon Thursday to 10 p.m. that night.The special meeting convened with a quorum of 5 councilors: Seth Benham and Joel King appearing in person with Councilors Victoria Marshall, Rob Pell and Rick Riker participating remotely. The vote was unanimous.

 

Grants Pass Police were dispatched to arrest a man reported to have slashed someone's tires early this morning.

A call to 911 around 4:55 a.m. reported the suspect, Andrew Miller had been keeping items on the caller's property in the 1100 block of NE D Street. She had told Miller he needed to leave the property with his belongings. He fled the scene, but not before slashing the passenger side tires of the caller's husband's vehicle.

She chased after Miller to the Home Depot where law enforcement soon located him hiding in a bush. He was taken into custody and transported to the Adult Jail Facility.

Officers lodged Miller for Second Degree Criminal Mischief. He was also provided a receipt for his property.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man called in to dispatch for throwing a pallet into the middle of a roadway.

The suspect was reported Tuesday around 2:11 p.m. when he threw a pallet into the road outside the M Street Market. He was described as wearing an orange cap, black hoodie, and dark colored pants.

Police arrived to detain the suspect, identified as Andrew Ray. He was extremely under the influence, falling, stumbling, and slurring words. When an attempt was made to search for weapons on Ray's person, he began spitting on the ground in the direction of law enforcement.

Ray was put in a spit hood, placed in the patrol car, and then started kicking all over the back of the vehicle with great force. He later calmed down and was transported to the Sobering Center, where he proceeded to refuse a breath test.

He became combative and refused to put his legs in the patrol car despite law enforcement's efforts. Ray then spit in an officer's face and attempted to kick police on the scene. He was ultimately placed in a wrap and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct and Aggravated Harassment.

 

Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff's Office made two separate traffic stops leading to the arrests of two suspects Tuesday.

A gray Mazda SUV was pulled over in the 5000 block of Monument Drive around 4:05 p.m. The deputy contacted Levi Darling and charged him with Providing False Information to a Police Officer. He was also cited for Driving While Suspended.

The SUV was later towed from the scene. Darling was taken into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail for lodging, but then released on his own recognizance.

That night around 9:27 p.m., a deputy contacted Anita Dirksen at the corner of Redwood Highway and Old Redwood Highway. Her Ford was run through the DMV, and she was taken into custody at the scene for Felony Driving While Suspended.

The deputy transported Dirksen to the Adult Jail Facility where she was subsequently lodged. She was later released due to a lack of resources.

 

Medford Police responded Tuesday around 4 p.m. to the area of a business in the 700 block of Stevens Street after a caller reported a possible menacing incident involving gunfire.

According to the department's Facebook page, the original complainant reported that the involved parties had left the area. As officers arrived, the victim returned to the scene and contacted officers. The investigation determined the adult male victim and 41-year-old David Somers had been involved in a verbal dispute over parking.

During the confrontation, Somers reportedly made a threatening statement, produced a handgun, and pointed it at the victim. Somers then allegedly fired multiple rounds and fled the parking lot in a vehicle. No one was struck by these rounds.

The victim attempted to follow Somers but eventually lost sight of him. Members of the MPD's Criminal Investigations Division responded and assisted with the investigation. A short time later, officers located the suspect vehicle on Campus Drive in Medford.

Somers was contacted and taken into custody without incident. He was lodged at the Jackson County Jail for Attempted Assault in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Unlawful Pointing of a Firearm, Menacing, and Disorderly Conduct. This case remains under investigation.

 

The Board of Commissioners approved a 4-H and OSU Extension Service District Intergovernmental Agreement during their 9 a.m. Weekly Business Session. Commissioner Gary Richardson was absent.

The board convened as the governing body of the Josephine County 4-H Extension/OSU Service District in consideration of the agreement. It outlined a five year term and what each party was responsible for, including commitments by the district to provide funding, and services provided by OSU.

The agreement also covered the location and payment for the organizations facility. The board moved to approve the agreement 2-0.

A proclamation was made for the week of July 19th through the 25th as Probation, Parole, and Community Supervision Week. The board approved the consent calendar, commended firefighters working on the East Evans Creek, Waldo, and Ridge Vista fires, and then adjourned the meeting.

 

Mop-up operations continue on the East Evans Creek Fire, with resources beginning to shift due to forward progress across the incident. The latest update from the Oregon Department of Forestry reports the blaze is at 26% containment, with resources holding it at 15,705 acres with no new overnight growth. Night shift crews made progress mopping up along the perimeter on the main fire and all spots. Thanks to the effectiveness of coordinated suppression efforts, the threat to structures has been significantly reduced on the East Evans Creek Fire. As a result, the Oregon State Fire Marshal has strategically reduced the number of structural task forces assigned to the incident. Today, remaining structural resources will continue to support firefighting operations by strengthening mop-up around homes, conducting patrols, and maintaining a presence in neighborhoods surrounding the fire area. Weather could bring numerous challenges across the fire area today. A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for abundant lightning on dry fuels from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Storms may bring heavy rain, and while this can be somewhat beneficial on the fire, it can also create hazardous conditions for firefighters to work and drive in.